Catch basin backup control



Dec. 1, 1959 e. P. KUNKEL arm. 2,915,083

CATCH BASIN BACKUP CONTROL 7 Filed April 11. 1958 Gerhardt R Kunkel Fred K. Koeppel INVENTORS Un SW Patent CATCH BASIN BACKUP CONTROL Gerhardt P. Kunkel, Bellwood, and Fred K.

Forest Park, Ill.

Application April 11, 1958, Serial No. 727,985

This invention relates in general to sewage systems and pertains more particularly to improvements in catch basin systems. I r

The usual catch basin system includes a catch basin assembly having connection with a main sewer line and a drain tile system discharging into the catch basin, which drain tile system extends from the catch basin to a point within the confines of the floor plan of the house for connection to a drain in the basement floor. Particularly in older houses, the drain tile systems comprise simply a series of end to end loosely abutted drain tiles of clay or the like material, and in the event that the sewer becomes flooded and the water level rises within the catch basin, the pressure head will be immediately transferred to and through the drain tile system causing water to spray outwardly through the loose joints between the individual tiles and in such a manner as to flush out the gravel beneath the basement floor and to exert a pressure head underneath the basement floor. This eventually will cause cracking and heaving of the basement floor whereafter the situation is further aggravated by seeping of water into the basement through the crack in the floor thereof. It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide means effectively isolating the drain tile system from the catch basin in the event the latter becomes flooded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve assembly which may be attached to an existing drain tile system within a catch basin and which includes a float valve which will travel with the water level within the catch basin to effectively isolate and seal off the drain tile system from the catch basin should the latter become flooded.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a valve assembly of the character described above wherein the valve assembly includes a shank portion of an external diameter suitable for snug insertion within a drain tile projecting into the catch basin and permitting the same to be effectively sealed therewith so as to isolate a the drain tile system from the catch basin when the same becomes flooded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be easily and readily installed byv a home owner, plumber or a catch basin serviceman and which may be applied to any existing system.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a catch basin and illustrating the operative association of the valve assembly constructed in accordance with this invention with the existing drain tile system;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the catch basin in a flooded stage; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 3-3 in Figure 1 and illustrating the details of internal construction of the control valve assembly.

Referring at this time more particularly to Figure l, the reference character 10 indicates in general a catch basin assembly which may be constructed in accordance with any conventional practice. Referencenumerallz indicates the elbow of main sewer line 13 whichextends into the catch basin 10 and which elbow is downturned as shown to communicate directly with the catch basin assembly.

The reference numeral 14 indicates in general a drain tile system which includes a plurality of end to end abutted individual clay tiles 15, one of which projects into the catch basin at a level above the main sewer line 13 and which system extends from the'catch'. basin beneath an associated basement floor, not shown, for eventual connection to a drain, not shown, in the basement floor, as is conventionally provided.

The reference character 16 indicates in general the attachment which forms this invention and which consists of a control valve assembly for association with the drain tile system 14. For this purpose, the assembly 16 includes a shank portion 17 having an external diameter of a size to fit snugly within that drain tile 15 which projects into the catch basin 10 and which is sealed suitably thereto as by means of an appropriate cement, not shown, such as sewer pipe cement. For the purpose of properly locating the assembly 16 relative to the drain tile 15 and to more appropriately form an effective seal therewith, the assembly 16 may be provided with a radially projecting collar 18 at the juncture between the shank 17 and the elbow portion 19 of the valve assembly 16.

The elbow portion 19 terminates in a downturned bell portion 20 having, at its mouth, a radially outwardly projecting reinforcing or rigidifying flange 21 and which is also provided on its inner side with a beveled or tapered valve seat surface 22, see particularly Figure 3.

Operatively associated with the valve seat 22 is a ball float valve assembly indicated generally by the reference character 23 and which includes a spherical hollow body portion 24 defining a chamber 25 'therewithin of such physical dimensions as to readily float the body portion 24 when the water level rises within the catch basin 10. On the upper side of the body portion 24 is provided an ear 26 having an aperture 27 therein through which is projected the lowermost link 28 of a chain indicated generally by the reference character 29. Depending from the roof portion 30 of the bell 20 is a tab or car 31 having an aperture 32 therein receiving, therethrough, the uppermost link 33 of the chain 29, the length of the chain being such as to normally permit the body portion 24 to hang free and clear of the tapered valve seat 22 at the mouth of the bell 20.

During normal operation of the system, when the Water level is at its normal height as is illustrated in Figure 1, the body portion 24 hangs free and clear of the valve seat 22 and permits water entering the system through the drain in the basement floor to flow therefrom through the tile system 14 and thence outwardly through the assembly 16 for discharge into the catch basin 10. However, if the main sewer system 13 becomes flooded as illustrated in Figure 2 causing the water level to rise within the catch basin 10, the body portion 24 is floated so that it seats and seals against the seat portion 22, thus effectively isolating and sealing the drain tile system 14 against the pressure head developed within the flooded catch basin 10. Therefore, there will be no pressure head within the tile system 14 which would normally cause water to spray from between the loose joints between adjacent tiles 15 and flush away the gravel beneath the basement floor and permit a pressure head to develop beneath the basement floor to buckle, crack and heave the same upwardly to the .ultimate destruction thereof.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications 2113C} equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

' What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a catch basin system including a catch basin having a main sewer line connected thereto, and a drain tile system extending into the catch basin at a level higher than the main sewer line, a ball check valve assembly connected to the drain tile system within said catch basin and effective to seal the drain tile system against the effect of a pressure head within the catch basin when the same becomes flooded, said check valve assembly including a shank portion fitted within that drain tile extending into the catch basin and being sealed thereto, a downturned elbow portion on said shank portion terminating in a bell portion having an open mouth provided with a tapered valve seat thereat, a spherical float valve for seating against said seat, and a flexible member terminally fixed to said float valve and in said elbow portion above said seat and suspending said float valve below said seat.

2. The combination of claim 1, said elbow portion having a tab therein to which said flexible member is terminally fixed.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

